How to Verify Ollama Context Length with OpenClaude

OpenClaude automatically validates that your Ollama instance supports a 32,768-token context window by executing ollama ps and parsing the CONTEXT field, surfacing a warning if the reported value is smaller than the required 32 KB.

When integrating local LLMs through Ollama, OpenClaude requires a minimum context length of 32,768 tokens to handle complex conversational workflows effectively. The Gitlawb/openclaude CLI performs proactive validation of this requirement every time you initiate a chat session with an Ollama model. This verification ensures your local inference environment meets the necessary specifications before processing requests.

How OpenClaude Automatically Validates Context Length

OpenClaude embeds context verification directly into the chat initialization flow. When you specify an Ollama model (e.g., ollama:llama3.1:8b), the CLI executes an internal validation routine that inspects the running Ollama instance's configuration.

In src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts, the function checkOllamaContextLength() executes the ollama ps command and forwards the output to parseOllamaPsContextWarning(). This parser extracts the CONTEXT value associated with the active model. If the detected context size is insufficient, summarizeOllamaContextWarning() formats a user-visible alert:

Ollama context length is too small
OpenClaude requests 32768 tokens for Ollama chats. If `ollama ps` keeps showing a smaller CONTEXT after a new request, restart Ollama and verify with `ollama ps`.

To trigger this automatic check, simply run any chat command targeting an Ollama model:

openclaude chat --model ollama:llama3.1:8b

If the context is inadequate, the warning appears immediately in your terminal output before the chat begins.

Manual Verification Using ollama ps

You can independently verify the context length without triggering a full OpenClaude chat session. After starting your Ollama model, inspect the process status to confirm the CONTEXT column displays 32768 or higher.

ollama ps

Example output showing sufficient context:

NAME                  ID              SIZE      PROCESSOR    UNTIL               CONTEXT
llama3.1:8b           ...             4.7 GB    100% GPU     4 minutes from now  32768

If the CONTEXT value shows less than 32768, your Ollama instance is configured below OpenClaude's requirements. According to the source code in src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts, OpenClaude relies on standard Ollama endpoint discovery to locate the instance being checked, so ensure you are querying the correct server.

Resolving Context Length Warnings

When OpenClaude reports insufficient context or manual inspection reveals a value below 32768, restart the Ollama server to reset the configuration. The warning message explicitly recommends this approach when the context size persists incorrectly.

ollama stop
ollama start

After restarting, run ollama ps again to confirm the CONTEXT column now displays 32768. Once verified, subsequent OpenClaude chat sessions will proceed without context warnings. The validation logic includes comprehensive unit tests in src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts to ensure accurate detection of low-context scenarios.

Summary

• OpenClaude requires a 32,768-token (32 KB) minimum context window for all Ollama interactions.
• Automatic validation occurs via checkOllamaContextLength() in src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts, which parses ollama ps output.
• The CLI warns you immediately if the CONTEXT field is insufficient, displaying the actual detected value alongside the required 32K specification.
• Manual verification uses the standard ollama ps command to inspect the CONTEXT column.
• Restarting Ollama (ollama stop followed by ollama start) typically resolves persistent low-context issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum context length OpenClaude requires for Ollama?

OpenClaude requires a minimum context length of 32,768 tokens (32 KB) for Ollama models. This specification ensures adequate room for system prompts, conversation history, and model responses during extended chat sessions.

Which source files handle the context verification logic?

The primary implementation resides in src/utils/statusNoticeLocalModel.ts, which contains checkOllamaContextLength(), parseOllamaPsContextWarning(), and summarizeOllamaContextWarning(). Supporting utilities for Ollama endpoint discovery are located in src/utils/providerDiscovery.ts, while src/__tests__/statusNoticeLocalModel.test.ts provides test coverage for the warning behavior.

How does OpenClaude detect the context length?

OpenClaude executes ollama ps through the checkOllamaContextLength() function and parses the command's output to extract the CONTEXT field value for the active model. This value is compared against the 32,768-token threshold to determine if the environment meets requirements.

What should I do if OpenClaude reports the context length is too small?

If OpenClaude displays the context length warning, restart your Ollama server using ollama stop and ollama start, then verify the context has reset to 32768 by running ollama ps again. If the value remains low, check your Ollama configuration files or environment variables for context window settings.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}